BUSINESS Secretary Vince Cable praised Huddersfield firms helping to “re-invent” the textile industry, on a visit to the town.

The Lib Dem politician toured the Textile Centre of Excellence at Deighton yesterday to see revolutionary technology in action that is helping to take textiles into new markets.

And he congratulated textile industry trainees who were receiving certificates and prizes at the centre’s annual awards ceremony.

Textile centre chairman Paul Johnson and managing director Bill Macbeth briefed the minister on new equipment being developed at the centre.

The equipment includes the world’s first 3D weaving machine, which produces woven shapes that can be “infused” with metal or plastics to produce lighter, stronger components for the aerospace and automotive industries.

The machine, featuring software developed by Chris Antich, of Bradley-based Antich & Sons, will be used to manufacture prototype lightweight suspension components for Jaguar Land Rover.

Another world-first is machinery to process fabrics and fibre to enable low-temperature dyeing, waterproofing and fire retardency without using water or chemicals.

Mr Cable also saw how DNA from plants is being added to fabrics used for top-quality items such as bespoke suits, as a way to protect against counterfeit products.

Mr Cable said textiles “took a bit of a nosedive” in the late 1970s and had been in decline.

But he said: “What has happened is that a lot of entrepreneurs stood their ground and discovered that even in this incredibly difficult economic environment there are real commercial possibilities.

“New products are selling to the traditional garment industry, but also to the car industry and aerospace thanks to new processes and technologies. That kind of thing drives growth.”

Mr Cable added: “A lot of manufacturing companies that fled this country are beginning to recognise that it makes more commercial sense to be back here – close to their customers and where the new products are being designed. A lot of companies that largely abandoned textiles want to come back.”

Mr Cable underlined the revival of the industry by adding: “Although the economy has been through a torrid time in Yorkshire, the number of people employed in textiles as grown by 3,000 during the worst years of recession.

“Something is happening and your textile centre is very much part of that. It is sending out the message that Britain is rather good at making things.”

Mr Johnson said: “The Made in England brand carries considerable weight in textiles all around the world because our region’s textile businesses have continued to invest in innovation, capital equipment and skills.

“We welcome the recognition of the part manufacturing is to play in creating wealth and re-balancing the economy. UK textiles is hi-tech, advanced manufacturing and engaged with all sorts of sectors.”

Later, 250 learners and their employers took part in the awards ceremony, where trainees were presented with NVQ certificates. The top achievers received prizes from Huddersfield Textile Society.

Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman described the award recipients as “a fantastic group of men and women”, adding: “Our textile firms are innovative and will not sit on their laurels.’’